The Boulder County wildlife inventory needs help! Although the summer months following spring migration have always been a slow time for birders, this year we received so few reports that it was an embarrassment. We are receiving reports of rarities through COBIRDS; it is the every day sightings that are pitifully under reported, and some areas of the county are not represented at all. The wildlife inventory has detailed records from 1979 of the birds seen in Boulder County, and a few records from an earlier date. We need to know whether the wildlife inventory is still of value to birders. Please show this by either sending us your reports, or letting us know your opinions. Otherwise we feel that the inventory should be discontinued. The complete listings for each month are available on the Audubon website at www.boulderaudubon.org/inventory.html.

June 2003 was cooler and wetter than average, while July 2003 was super hot with fifteen consecutive days over 90 F. Probably the hot weather contributed to the lack of July reports from the plains; only three species of duck were reported and no Killdeer at all. However, it did not explain why we got very few reports from the mountains, although the foothills were well covered. The Indian Peaks breeding bird count (IP) ensured that mountain birds were well reported in June.

This was a good year for hummingbirds. By mid-July hummingbirds were beginning to migrate. A female Magnificent Hummingbird was found in the high country. Black-chinned Hummingbirds were seen both in the mountains and out on the plains. We are now beginning to expect to see many Calliope Hummingbirds in July, and this year was no exception. Both Broad-tailed and Rufous Hummingbirds were seen in fair numbers, and again were found to be moving out on to the plains towards the end of July.

A nesting Grace’s Warbler caused great excitement. This is a new species for the wildlife inventory, as well as a first breeding record. A Hooded Warbler heard in early July in Gregory Canyon is a possible indicator that this species has bred here again. An Ovenbird seen on the Indian Peaks bird count was a first sighting for the year. A Red-eyed Vireo was reported in July; this is a species that can easily be missed. Another easily missed species is Grasshopper Sparrow; they were reported as present in small numbers both months. White-winged Doves are definitely on the increase and we received reports of three separate sightings for the two months.

Bald Eagles continued to be seen throughout the summer. Hopefully this will be the beginning of a trend rather than an anomaly. Ospreys are increasing in numbers having successfully bred in several locations. A few Peregrine Falcons continue to attempt to breed. A Sanderling seen at the beginning of June was a late spring migrant. An Ash-throated Flycatcher was seen on Rabbit Mountain in June; as far as I know there has been only one record of these birds breeding in the county. A Boreal Owl was heard near Brainard Lake, and a Northern Saw-whet Owl in Sunshine Canyon.

Altogether 155 bird species were reported in June which is lower than average. The 113 bird species reported for July is a record low count, and in no way reflects the true state of birds in the county. We would particularly like to thank those people from whom we did receive full reports. TOP